Signs of dehydration

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The human body is made up of almost 70% of water. The various statistics that have been presented on the amount of water required per day to survive goes to show the importance of water. It is also a known fact that while one can go without food for 3-4 days, lack of water for even 2 days can prove to be extremely fatal.

The body flushes out its reserve water every day through various means of sweat, tears and other bodily functions and thus has to be replaced. It is indeed true that water is almost as important for survival as is oxygen.

When an individual loses water from their body at a faster rate than they take in water, they are said to be dehydrated. Dehydration is the body’s way of signaling that more water is required for efficient functioning.
So what are the signs of dehydration? Read on to find out.

1. Frequent headaches are the first most important sign noticed when dehydrated.
Dehydration result in the decrease of blood flow an oxygen to the brain. This along with the loss of water in brain cells itself may manifest as a headache.

2. Dark colored urine is an extremely important clinical symptom of dehydration.
The excess minerals and other waste products are eliminated along with water in the form of urine. When there is a drop of water level in the body, urine is concentrated with the urea salts and not enough water as required. Urine thus appears darker that the normal shade of yellow.

3. Low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat and breathing may also indicate dehydration.
Dehydration in simple terms implies that water in the body is being lost at a faster rate than it is being taken in. Such a case causes low blood pressure and rapid heartbeat to pump more blood to the body organs.

4. Tiredness and sleepiness may be another sign of dehydration.

When dehydrated, not enough water is supplied to the brain cells and other parts of the body. This in turn results in decrease of blood flow and hence transport of oxygen. Decrease in oxygen levels due to dehydration may be the cause for tiredness and sleepiness.

5. Muscle cramps occur due to dehydration.

There have been many theories that suggest that lesser water resulting in loss of electrolytes and salts are responsible for muscle cramps.

6. Dry skin and mouth are sometimes due to dehydration.

Dehydration is believed to cause dry skin and mouth conditions. While this is true, severe dehydration may result in production of extra oil to compensate for the low water levels resulting in break outs.

7. Bad breath is a major indication of dehydration.
The saliva in the mouth helps clear bacteria that cause bad breath. When dehydrated, the saliva produced is very less, and hence bacterial number increases resulting in mouth odor.

8. Dizziness and fainting may also indicate dehydration.
Low blood pressure as a result of dehydration may result in dizziness and fainting.

9. Pain while urinating can be suggestive of dehydration.

Low levels of water in the body can result in kidney stones. This however occurs in cases of severe dehydration. Presence of small kidney stones causes pain while urinating.

10. Thirst is the simplest, most common sign of dehydration.
Needless to explain, thirst is of course the most obvious sign of dehydration.

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